Big Waves?

[Jay_Kauser]

I heard that there are some big waves on Red Lake. I have a 12'8" Lincoln Hidden Pond Canoe with a Minn Kota trolling motor. Can I slam the walleyes OK?

[Random guy]

As long as the water is calm you will be ok. A good gauge is 10mph wind from the west will create 1-2' foot waves and 15mph out of thee west challenges the average fishing boat and if it is 20 out of the west your boat better be 20 also.

If the lake is rough run that canoe up river looking for walleye.

[18 inch Crappie]

I was going to say hit the river, I would not be caught dead out on Red in a canoe. I rented a 14ft boat from Mort's last year while working up there and was OK till the wind picked up while I was about 2 miles out and that little 9.9 hp worked hard to get me back in and the pizza I had for lunch was left out in the lake. That's all I have to say.

[Pikester]

Those crappies sure are eating well! I lost my lunch in the lake about a month ago.

[Random guy]

Don't take it to bad boys, I see lots of poeple let that distant horizon and waves get to them.

[18 inch Crappie]

Hey, I caught fish so I am happy. I needed to diet anyways.

[Big_Cahuna]

Being a novice boater I was wondering how do I handle a situation where I get caught out in the lake with big waves? I would try to stay off if it looks rough but if I am caught out there what would help me get back? I appreciate any info as I usually fish with my younger sons and just want to know and pass down the info.

BC

[logankelly]

Several years ago I was up there with the family way out there fishing at the time. That’s when you could throw a hook out there and hit a crappie. Well the wind came up I had a 19.5 spectrum with an I/O 120hp motor. The wife and kids where under a tarp to keep dry when I was coming in. It was still pretty scary coming in.

Common sense is number 1 and that will help you get back, make sure everyone is wearing his or her PFD, let someone know where you are at on the lake. Make sure you know what direction to point your boat when coming back because a little boat will get toss around out there in big waves. Remember there will be other days and be safe to fish again.

[SchloeRide]

A very important thing to remember is to be prepared and know what you are going to do in case something like this happens. Keep batteries charged and small items such as fuses handy. I was caught on a bigger lake a few years back in a 14' boat. I stayed out longer than I should have. My bilge pump blew a fuse and I didn't have a spare (it got clogged with pine needles and leaves and I opened the top without turning it off--stupid). By the time I got my motor started, I had water half way up the sides of the entire boat. I wasn't able to get going fast enough to "pull the plug" and let it drain. I was lucky enough to be able to ride the waves to an area behind an island where I was able to bail water out of my boat for over an hour. If I would have had to go against the waves or take waves over the side, I surely would have sank. Now I always have spare fuses and I make sure my bilge is clean, batteries are charged, etc.

[SledNeck]

Quote:

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A very important thing to remember is to be prepared and know what you are going to do in case something like this happens. Keep batteries charged and small items such as fuses handy. I was caught on a bigger lake a few years back in a 14' boat. I stayed out longer than I should have. My bilge pump blew a fuse and I didn't have a spare (it got clogged with pine needles and leaves and I opened the top without turning it off--stupid). By the time I got my motor started, I had water half way up the sides of the entire boat. I wasn't able to get going fast enough to "pull the plug" and let it drain. I was lucky enough to be able to ride the waves to an area behind an island where I was able to bail water out of my boat for over an hour. If I would have had to go against the waves or take waves over the side, I surely would have sank. Now I always have spare fuses and I make sure my bilge is clean, batteries are charged, etc.

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I thought u were gonna say, "Now I have a bigger boat".

[Big_Cahuna]

(Contact Us Please) those are some sobering thoughts. I'll make sure to take heed. I appreciate the info and the sharing of events.

BC

[Random guy]

if you get caught on Red just remember a few things:

1) You don't need to go fast to float, focus on keeping the boat into the waves or out of the valleys. Never turn a smaller or under powered boat stern to the wind, the waves will get ya every time.

2) Watch the back of the boat, most swamped boats get it from the stern and not the bow.

3) Any port in a storm. Get to the closet port or shore ASAP. If safety is a big concern and it progresses to the point of injury or death is a chance crash the boat onto shore and save yourself. That is why boat insurance has a replacement or repair clauses and life insurance does not.

4)If you have to change direction do it on top of the wave and not on the bottom, never get sideways in the valley. If you do get caught in a valley and it looks like you may capsize turn the boat into the wave not away from it. The stern will come around once the keel gets ahold of the hard water on the face of the wave.

5)Make sure to ALWAYS have some way to get water out of the boat. I run dual bilges and I still keep a small bucket just incase.

6)If you do go over or swamp never leave the boat, the outboard sticking up gives you a good place to hang onto a capsized boat. The boat will always stay on the surface unless all the foam was removed. Even drifting in the wind you will find a shoreline or someone will find you.

7)Ride the wave into shore on Red. Remember Red is shallow for a long ways out and you may not have water in the wave valley and you will beach before the next wave rolls you. So pick your heading and surf the boat into the canal or river.

8)Best of all is to pay attention to the weather channel and if it looks ugly stay close to port or hit a smaller non wind lake.

(legal disclaimer)

This is just my opinions and not rules or instructions, so if you go crashing a 12' boat into six foot waves to catch a fish, well thats your own fault.

[Pikeslayer]

Great Post Jon!You almost sounded like Dad,But he always used to end with,But most of all use common sense!